While Samsung's high-end phones have suffered in the wake of the Galaxy Note 7 recall, the company has done well in low- to mid-range segments, TrendForce noted. In fact much of this was attributed to the low-cost Galaxy J series, noting that it helped Samsung become "the only brand that saw positive growth in production volume during the off season of the first quarter."

iPhone production fell 36 percent versus the December quarter and 41 percent year-over-year, TrendForce indicated, pointing out however that this meant an overall improvement in sales. Some of the sales boost was reportedly linked to the (Product)Red iPhone 7.

Production is forecast to drop 17 percent sequentially in the June quarter. Apple typically sees lower sales and production numbers in the March and June quarters, as the rush of launch and holiday sales fades and the company turns its attention to manufacturing new iPhone models.

Android phone makers like Samsung are actually liable to suffer in the June quarter, as shoppers hold off in anticipation of 10th-anniversary iPhones Apple will announce in the fall, TrendForce commented.

Apple is thought to be preparing three new iPhones. While two of these should be "7s" models with 4.7- and 5.5-inch LCD displays, the "iPhone 8" is expected to feature a 5.8-inch OLED screen, with a small section replacing a physical home button with virtual controls. The phone should also have wireless charging, iris and/or facial recognition, and possibly color-changing True Tone technology.